Solar storms could disrupt 2012 Olympics... but a new satellite will predict what's coming

TVs around the world could go on the blink during the 2012 London Olympics, solar physicists have warned.

They were speaking ahead of the launch of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which will blast off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Bad weather prevented its lift-off yesterday.

Nasa's latest space satellite will deliver high resolution images of the Sun ten times better than the average High-Definition television.

By studying the Sun in greater detail, scientists are hoping to be able to predict and better prepare for disruptive solar activity (seen here in ultra-violet light)

A picture of the Sun will be snapped every 0.75seconds using ultra-violet light. In just one day the satellite will transmit the equivalent amount of data as 500,000 song downloads. Over time it will produce more science data than any mission in Nasa history.

British scientists involved in the project said the observatory could help them predict solar storms that could disrupt communications on Earth.

The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has four AIA telescopes, which are at the top. The solar arrays will collect energy from the Sun to power the spacecraft. EVE measures the tumultuous solar emissions, while the HMI will measure the magnetic field on the visible surface of the Sun

This could prove crucial as solar activity is due to hit a peak in its eleven-year cycle during the Olympics in 2012.